“Listen carefully here, . . .Every person has the choice to think and act and respond in light of the gospel . . . Ultimate victory is knowing that you have honored Christ at any cost, and your conscience is at rest in His presence. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:3–4) Francis Chan”

Choose Redeeming Love

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Welcome

Sacred Ordinary - I finally found a way to explain what it means to me: "It is forged in the daily and tempered in the ordinary. It is a slow and steady and deliberate gathering of the years. It is a combination of keen attentiveness—to God, to self, to others, to life—and holy indifference—to trifles, to insults, to useless distractions. It is planned, not in some goose-stepping mechanical way, but in the sense that it builds on a resolve to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of you, and to take every though captive and make it obedient to Christ."

- Stephen A. Macchia

2016 I have chosen to live in light of ETERNITY. "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:39 KJV I want my little life that I have been given to be a testimony for the blood that was shed for me on Calvary's cross.

This year and for the years to come, it is about surrendering to God and giving my family and those I meet along the way, JESUS! I am going to let my light shine. LIFE is SHORT! We do not know when we will die. Each day we need to make the most of the time that we have, for it may be our last. AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST, all of us should live each moment in light of eternity.

The decisions we make in this life determine where and how we will spend the next. We should, therefore, make certain that the right decisions are made.

The final states are fixed, there is no second chance. Finally, we should have heaven constantly on our mind so as to have an impact in this world. (Especially our family)

I want to leave an Eternal Legacy. Living in light of Eternity causes us to focus on what is truly important. It is not about the furniture we own, the clothes we wear, the places we want to travel or even the church we attend. IT IS ALL ABOUT SOULS and if they KNOW JESUS PERSONALLY.

Lord, remind us just how brief our time here on earth will be. Our days are numbered, our life is fleeting. Each of us is just a vapor, a breath. Are we living in light of ETERNITY? Are we ready to meet our maker?

Living in Light of Eternity

Christina

***********************

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Grace: The Power Of The GospelBy Andrew Wommack

The Gospel is the most basic, foundational message of the
New Testament, yet it’s the most misunderstood. Today’s religious system
is not preaching the same Gospel that Paul did. They mix it with the
Law, and that isn’t the Gospel at all.

The book of Romans was written to explain the Gospel so that anybody could understand it.
Paul, the writer, made it so simple that you’d have to have somebody
help you to misunderstand it. And, unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of help!

Paul started off with this statement in Romans 1:16:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.

That is a radical statement. This word “gospel” in the
original Greek is a word that was seldom used at the time this was
written. Nobody talked this way, because the word literally means
nearly-too-good-to-be-true news. It referred to news that was so
awesome, nothing really justified using it. Nothing was nearly too good
to be true.

But Paul said he was not ashamed of the Gospel. Why? “For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”The Gospel is the power of God, and that’s talking about grace. Acts 20:24 and Galatians 1:6 both use the terms “gospel” and “grace”interchangeably. It’s saying that when you understand the Gospel, or the grace of God, it’ll release the power of God into your life. That’s huge!

The next verse in Romans 1 says,

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Notice that righteousness is not revealed from Law to Law, from
good deed to good deed—it’s revealed from faith to faith. Here’s a good
piece of information to consider: Sin won’t stop the power of God for salvation in your life but trusting in your own good works will. That’s what “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith”
means. You receive the righteousness of God by grace through faith
(Eph. 2:8)! God won’t withdraw His power because of sin in your life. That’s why it’s nearly-too-good-to-be-true news.

When you talk like this, people with a religious mindset
immediately say, “Well, what about sin? This sounds like you’re just
giving people a license to sin.” Not so! Last I checked, people were
sinning without a license! I’m not advocating sin. But,
see, this is the immediate reaction when you start talking about
righteousness by faith. They think you need to make people aware of
their sin and the wrath of God.

But that’s why Paul said in the next verses,

For the wrath of God is [already] revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Romans 1:18-19, brackets mine

Notice it says it’s manifest in them, not to them, for God has shown it unto them. God has put in
every single person who has ever breathed an intuitive knowledge that
they are a sinner and that they deserve rejection instead of acceptance.
You don’t need to tell people this; they already know it.

We aren’t called to convict people of their sin but to
convince them that the only way they can obtain righteousness, or right
standing, with God is through putting faith in what Jesus did for them,
not through something they’ve done. That’s why I spend so much of my time on this, and it’s what many of my teaching materials are devoted to.

Let’s look at Luke 18:9-14 to verify this:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11]
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee,
that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or
even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13]
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his
eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to
me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself
shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

This is a powerful parable. Let me ask you: Are you like the
Pharisee or the publican? I’m not talking about your actions but your
trust. Do you trust in what you do for the Lord or what He has done for
you? If a person is putting faith in all of their religious acts—all of their holiness—then that will actually block
them from righteousness and relationship with God. But the person who
maybe hasn’t been as good, yet they’ve humbled themselves and cried out
to God, this is the one who enters into right standing with God.

That’s what it says in Romans 9:30-32a:

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not
after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the
righteousness which is of faith. [31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.

This says there are two types of righteousness: a faith righteousness and a righteousness that comes by the Law.
Righteousness by the Law is a righteousness based on performance.
Another way to say it is “self-righteousness.” The truth is, nobody can
perform well enough to get Law righteousness, because the Bible says in
Isaiah 64:6 that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” And James 2:10 says that if you keep the Law and yet offend in one point, you are guilty of breaking the entire thing. In
other words, if you did ninety-nine out of a hundred things right and
one thing wrong, according to the Law of righteousness, you would be
unrighteous. BUT! If you put your faith in Jesus, you would receive His
righteousness—faith righteousness—even though you did ninety-nine out of
a hundred things wrong! What a deal!

There are many people today who wouldn’t consider themselves
to be seeking after Law righteousness, but they really are. Their only
hope of entering into heaven instead of hell is that they go to church,
they try to be good, they live up to some standard of morality.
That’s what this is talking about when it says the Jews weren’t seeking
righteousness by faith but by the Law. They were trying to earn what God
had given as a gift.

The rest of Romans 9:32 says,

For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.

It is offensive to people, particularly if they have a lot of
holy actions to their names, when you tell them that all their good
deeds don’t make them righteous before God. Then when you tell them
sinners who only put faith in God are more righteous than they are
(Matt. 21:28-32), that really puts them over the top!

They say, “You mean I’m not any better than the person who’s been out living in sin?”

Good deeds will help you, to a degree, in your relationships with people, but they won’t give you any clout with God.
You could have more holy acts than anyone you know, but who wants to be
the best sinner who ever went to hell? All have sinned and come short
of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

We need a Savior! The only thing we have to offer is
faith. We just believe the nearly-too-good-to-be-true news that Jesus
died for us and paid a debt we couldn’t pay and gave us a righteousness
we couldn’t earn. It’s faith righteousness!

“Well, I believe in Jesus, but I believe I also have to live holy to be accepted by God.”

That’s saying Jesus’ payment for sin wasn’t enough—that you have
to add to what Jesus has done—and I believe that is the greatest sin of
all! Jesus either paid for it all, or He paid for nothing at all! It’s not Jesus plus you; it’s Jesus or you!
It’s not you doing the best you can and then Jesus making up the
difference with grace and mercy. If you try to mix the two, you have
totally polluted what Jesus has done. It’s either faith righteousness or
your righteousness, but not a combination of the two (Rom. 11:6).

It takes a supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit to be
able to understand this. But once you do, it’ll transform the way that
you view God, the way that you relate to God, and the way that you receive from God. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. I encourage you to just humble yourself and ask God for a supernatural revelation of this truth. It’s tremendous.

When you truly get a hold of the grace of God, I guarantee you, it sets you free from sin, not free to sin. You’ll wind up living holier accidentally than you ever have on purpose. You’ll serve God out of love stricter and stronger than you ever would have out of legalism.

Jesus said you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). It’s not truth that sets you free; it’s the truth you know that sets you free. But before you can know it, you’ve got to hear it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

He was given a purpose to fulfill and he was
determined to complete the plan his Master had mapped out for him. He
tired to dodge pot holes in the road and sidestepped falling
boulders and fallen trees in his path, but occasionally he would fall. The servant reflected on his last fall. He'd sustained only minor
bruises and was able to brush himself off and continue on the path...but
it could have been avoided.

He'd asked for wisdom for his journey
and understanding to find the way. His eyes had become clearer from
lessons he'd learned along the way.

"Master, why is it that I know the
way but I continue to stumble over the boulders in the road? Why can't I
get it right?" The servant asked looking toward heaven..

The Master smiled, "My child, I knew you'd never be perfect with that human body you have."

"You knew?" The servant asked in surprise.

"I knew you. Before you were born, I saw your precious heart. I knew
you desired to love and serve me in truth. I knew you would need a
Savior and sent my Son, Jesus. I made provision for your humanness at
the Cross of Christ; who died that you might live.

Your humanness will
be remembered no more. I knew you would need an intercessor, and sent
you my Holy Spirit.

The Enemy tried to destroy you. He tried to cripple
you to prevent you from completing the plan I designed for you; but
continue on, My child. My Holy Spirit will intercede on your behalf. He
will guide you all the way.

Keep your eyes on me. I will keep you from
falling. I will lift you up above it all, on wings of eagles.

Stay close
to me as I whisper my hearts desire to you. Call on me for all your
needs and I will supply them all. Your cup will run over. I won't reject
you when you stumble. I'll be there to pick you up and set you back on
solid ground.

First Episode of my new radio show ~ "Grace Talk Live" with Eddie Snipes who wrote the book: "It is Finished" Stepping out of condemnation and into the finished work of the cross. Enjoy God's grace as you listen and know that God loves you and wants to give you true freedom and joy in you walk with Him !!

Check Out The Bible Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Grace Talk Live on BlogTalkRadio

Amen!!!
There is always a proper way to discipline our children.
Just because we are their parents does not give us the right to push and demand our children to do what we want.

We need to daily encourage our children by example...follow me as I follow Christ.
If we are not setting out to live our own lives with Christ at the center we cannot expect our young learning children to do this always... Parents can become proud and puffed up with their authority - God says: "I will resist the proud and give grace to the humble."

I have added Michelle's life verse and motto in to my life and flagged this verse in my bible and use it when I feel like I am failing as a parent or wife.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. (and I say to Him) . . . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

May this be a Blessing . . . Let Go and Let God help you become the best parent HE has for you to be.

"God’s love is not dependent upon your performance.
God’s love is the expression of His nature, and He delights in taking
sinful people and replacing human failure with His divine favor. ...Your
failure is not a barrier to God. Once you learn to believe in the love God has for you, sin will drive you to His righteousness instead of into defeat.In Christ, it is finished. Once you learn to trust in God’s gift of grace, you’ll never view life through the old eyes of human performance again. Enjoy the fellowship you already have been given!"

One of my favorite songs to listen to this year has been "Alone Yet
Not Alone." It is featured in a movie that will be coming out this
summer (June 13). You can learn more about the movie at www.aloneyetnotalone.com.

"Alone Yet Not Alone" is sung by Joni Eareckson Tada, and she did a absolutely
beautiful job! Because she is a quadriplegic her lung capacity is
limited. In the video you will see her husband, Ken, pressing on her
diaphragm to help her hit the high notes. What a great team those two
make!

Ever since October 2012 my life has been on a journey of rediscovery, one of sorrow and triump. I have had to deal with loss and pain, between my health and our living situations it has caused my faith to rise in such a way that I did not know was even possible in me.

Because of this journey that my Heavenly Father has allow me to walk through, I am learning the truth of living in the unforced rhythms of grace by leaning into HIS grace. This song touches my heart in many ways. It has reminded me that NO MATTER WHAT happens in my life, NO MATTER if I walk it alone of if I AM alone ... that I am NOT truly alone. God is ALWAYS by my
side, and this song is a beautiful reminder of that.

Beloved, I dedicate this song to all of you who are going through something in your life right now. If you are having health issues, or taking care of someone who is really sick. If you are homeless and have no where to call home. Of if you have lost someone near and dear to you. Whatever your facing right now...

This song is for you.

How blessed we are to have a God who loves us so richly and deeply that
we can truly say, even when we are alone, we are not truly alone. He is
with us, always."

Be Blessed!

I'm alone, yet not alone.
God's the light that will guide me home.
With His love and tenderness,
Leading through the wilderness,
And wherever I may roam,
I'm alone, yet not alone.

I will not be bent in fear.
He's the refuge I know is near.
In His strength I find my own.
By His faithful mercies shown.
That so mighty is His shield
All His love is now revealed.

When my steps are lost.
And desperate for a guide,
I can feel his touch,
A soothing presence by my side.

Alone, yet not alone.
Not forsaken when on my own.
I can lean upon His arm,
And be lifted up from harm.
If I stumble, or if I'm thrown,
I'm alone, yet not alone.

When my steps are lost.
And desperate for a guide,
I can feel his touch,
A soothing presence by my side.

By my side!

He has bound me with His love,
Watchful angels look from above.
Every evil can be braved,
For I know I will be saved.
Never frightened on my own,
I'm alone, yet not alone.
I'm alone, yet not alone.

Friday, April 4, 2014

I am a writer. . . my world is a sketchpad, my fingers to the typewriter - my pin to paper. . . waiting for me to paint the picture in thoughts, words and phrases. Pregnant with moment.

Not wanting more time. . . just enough time for this moment. Time to breathe . . . in their laughter, time to smell. . . salty caramel chocolate, time to see . . . squirrels chase one by one, time to laugh . . . children silly living free without hate in heart.

I am a writer... in my world there is textures, smells, foods to savor and joys to embrace. I seek to choose words that cause another to be present in my scenery. To be right where I am. . .seeing, hearing, touching, tasting. . .

I want to remain here fully all here, time slow, attention full, the river of my life moving
slow. Making blind eyes see, deaf ears hear. . . giving thanks for every
moment He allows within my life.

I am a writer. . . breathing in moments, turned sacred, to tell their story not knowing whats next. A God moments framed in words.

Moments . . .abc's . . . how they are added together to make words, phrases, imagery and places. There’s something magical sweet about lining up letters into words into phrases to find the very thing you want to say. . .suspended time in moments described in words

Words are delicious . . .

I love words. I’m a verbiage collector.

I am not just one who writes. . .to talk or to share such as in facebook and twitter. . .

I look around and see many of your wounded children. I ask what shall I do. I can only respond with this:

"Papa,
give me your eyes that I might see the wounds of your children, your
hands that I might touch them gently, your words that I might bring
wisdom, and healing into their lives. Your feet that I might lead them
into grace, into the freedom that your Son died for...but Papa, most of all I ask
for your heart. Show me how to see, know, feel and understand them. I
want to respond with truth, of course in love, showing them your
grace. Papa, teach me how to walk in the Spirit."

"We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour ... unceasingly."

~ Henri J.M. Nouwen

Henri Nouwen
reminds me that ..."we are all wounded people. Wounded by those whom we
love and those who loves us. When we fell rejected, abandoned, abused,
manipulated, or violated, it is mostly by people very close to us: our
parents, our friends, our spouses, our children, our neighbors, and even
our pastors."

Yes,
that is the tragedy of life. When those so close to us hurt us, it
makes forgiveness that much harder. Making it sometimes so impossible,
but we know that nothing is impossible for God. The God that lives deep
within us will give us the "grace" to go beyond our wounded selves and
say, "Because He has loved me and forgiven me, I choose to love you
and forgive you."

Forgiveness
is really about forgiving others for not being God! We want so much
from people, for them to fulfill our every need, and in reality there is
only one who can truly satisfy that hunger...and that 'One' is our
Father, God.

"Forgiving
is one of the most difficult and complex gestures and yet, like love,
it is one of the things which defines the essence of our humanity. In
fact, the contemplative dimension of forgiveness reveals that at its
core, forgiveness is a divine gift of love, a movement of love so
profound that it reveals the truth of our nature ~ fully human and
enlivened with the divine potential. How important forgiveness is can't
be exaggerated. One way of putting it is 'to be at peace with everyone.'
It means being prepared to take everyone into your heart, willing to
share every one's pain and joy as if it were your own...This oneness is
so close that we are more one than individuals. And so the spiritual
journey can't always be just a privatized set of practices, because
whenever you start the spiritual journey, the whole of humanity, and
perhaps creation, goes along and shares the journey with you. " - Fr.
Thomas Keating

Forgiveness
is the great spiritual weapon against the 'evil one.' As long as we
remain victims of anger and resentment, the power of darkness can
continue to divide us and tempt us with endless power games. But when we
forgive those who threaten our lives, they lose their power over us...
Forgiveness enables us to take the first steps toward healing.

When
we acknowledge that humans cannot offer us what only God can give. We
begin to step into our own story and live the life that God has called
us to live...a life with Him by our side. It is the greatest step one
will ever make.

Life
therefore needs to be lived in the unforced rhythms of grace, the cross of
forgiveness one to another, and to our Father in heaven. This is how a
community survives the temptations that are set up by satan.
Demons lose their power when we confess that we have been in their
clutches! The more deeply we confess our wrongs one to another, the more
we will "experience" forgiveness and the grace of God ~ community life
encourages the love of God in each of us. Only until we learn to except
each other for who they are and for what they can offer, forgiving them
for their weaknesses and their shortcomings, will we ever understand the
truth of God's grace for us.

Beloved, forgiveness by grace through love, is the Father's heart ~ this is the Good News!

Today is the day!

Happy (Book)Birthday, Lisa-Jo!No More Sleeps... today is the day! You can order your copy from AmazonHERE!If they sell out, and you cannot wait (who can, really?) you can also purchase a copy at any of these locations:Barnes & NobleDaySpringLifeWayCBDWalmart - See more at: http://abidingloveaboundinggrace.blogspot.com/#sthash.h4qMEktW.dpuf

Happy (Book)Birthday, Lisa-Jo!No More Sleeps... today is the day! You can order your copy from AmazonHERE!If they sell out, and you cannot wait (who can, really?) you can also purchase a copy at any of these locations:Barnes & NobleDaySpringLifeWayCBDWalmart - See more at: http://abidingloveaboundinggrace.blogspot.com/#sthash.h4qMEktW.dpuf

To purchase a copy for you, a friend, your mom, the ladies in your MOPS group, just click here.

I will share my comment that I left...

Grace ...the overwhelming reality of grace

that we give our children no matter what they have done.

My children (which are 8) have taught me a whole lot about my Papa's grace and unconditional love.

Motherhood has taught me to slow down and enjoy life with all it's ups and downs, joys and sorrows...

I have come to pause and embrace the piles of laundry, sink full to the brim with dishes that bare witness to little nourished bellies, small shaped hand-prints on the walls tell stories of siblings that are many, one little sock with no match at the end of the laundry basket, 2 ounces of juice left in the container.

These little moments of life that to some may seem ordinary, but in my life, they are mine and they are sacred.

For it is in these moments that I see the face and hand of God.

These are the moments that one day will lie with me when my time has ended and my life is lowered to rest in the ground awaiting the presence of God, but through the skill of my pen left within journals piled high, it is my way of giving my children memories unforgotten.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

“By God’s marvelous design, few life experiences humble us quite as effectively

as parenting…This tiny tyrant is providentially placed in our house with one grand program: to mold his or her parents into the image of our Lord. The way up spiritually, is by looking down physically.”

Please Join Me for Bible Study Beginning 04/11/14

This should give you enough time to purchase the book, especially via Kindle.

I am so excited to dig into this book. I have heard such rave reviews... (some listed at the end)

I am a mother of 8 and boy oh boy was that a surprise in my life.But even in all the somewhat graceful chaos I wouldn't have it any other way!

"You are not failing. You will sleep again. You are not the only one who thinks she’s doing it all wrong."

-- Lisa-Jo Baker

Surprised by Motherhood is the brand new book that’s ignited a movement of real mothers being real honest about real life with kids.

When you forget who you are, why you are, and where you are going —
these are words that falls as gently and right as blossoms, a trail of
grace for every mother.

Lisa-Jo Baker
is a soul sister. She whispered to me quiet when her last pregnancy
test turned pink. I’ve stayed up late with her laughing and praying and
eating M&Ms. I’ve slept on her couch. She awakens us all to glory
with these life-giving pages.

Straight from the hip honest, straight out hilarious, and straight
from His Heart, this book is pure page-turning relief. Pages I didn’t
want to end. Pages I will turn to again and again. ~ Ann Voskamp

A lawyer with a well-stamped passport and a passion for human rights,
Lisa-Jo Baker never wanted to be a mom. And then she had kids. Having
lost her own mother to cancer as a teenager, Lisa-Jo felt lost on her
journey to womanhood and wholly unprepared to raise children.

Surprised by Motherhood
is Lisa-Jo’s story of becoming and being a mom, and in the process,
discovering that all the “what to expect” and “how to” books in the
world can never truly prepare you for the sheer exhilaration, joy, and
terrifying love that accompanies motherhood.

Set partly in South Africa and partly in the US (with a slight detour to Ukraine along the way), Surprised by Motherhood is a poignant memoir of one woman’s dawning realization that being a mom isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present.

Writing a book. Or becoming a mother.
Most people who talk about motherhood start out by telling you how much they always wanted to be a mom. That is not my story. I was the girl whose mom died a week after she turned 18, the girl who swore off motherhood, the girl who believed her story had to be bigger than just being someone’s mother.

Today I’m the woman who believes that God doesn’t ask us to trade who we are for the label of “Mom.” Rather, he builds all the courage and calling of a lifetime into a story line big enough and rich enough to encompass kids, passion, work, creativity, and dreams that don’t end in the labor and delivery ward.

I’m also the girl who believes that Jesus saved the best till last when I finally became a mother.

But I’m just as convinced He would have loved me the same whether I ever had kids or not. It’s right there on the front dedication page of the book.
This is my broken, backwards journey from losing a mother toward becoming one. This is my testimony that all the “how to” and “what to expect” books in the world can never truly prepare you for the sheer exhilaration, joy, and terrifying love that accompanies motherhood.

This book is a reminder that being a mom isn’t about succeeding at some parenting checklist — it’s about what motherhood prepares us for while we’re busy preparing for it; how a new identity brings new meaning for our future and new appreciation of our past; and how there is wonder to be found in the daily merry-go-round of dishes, laundry and tiny humans.

This book is the one I wish I’d had in my hands nine years ago when I was certain I was failing motherhood.

This isn’t a “how-to” book, it’s simply my “you can” story.
This is the book I wrote for me. And for you.

Because you need something to read when you are locking yourself in the bathroom for some quiet time – Angie

It’s a heart-to-heart from a friend who “gets it”- the hard, the hurt, and the heights of this mysterious messy miracle called motherhood. – Katie

Because no matter how old you are or how old your kids are, it still feels pretty fantastic to have someone tell you that motherhood (and you) deserve a medal, a superhero cape, and likely, a chocolate sundae. – Rebekah

Because it’s a reminder you’re doing holy work & also it’s OK to cry a bit when they get out of bed AGAIN. – Alia

Because sometimes you need your friend to sit you down and tell you that what you’re doing right now – all of it – will build the love in our kids. – Andrea

Because it’s better than fried chicken. – Kate

Our mothering either comes from our own mom’s or in spite of them – Lisa-Jo’s journey is a beautiful combination of both. – Susan

Because Lisa-Jo really gets it… she gets the whole loving your kids and at the same time wanting to throw yourself on the floor and throw a tantrum of your own. – Julie

Because Mom’s need a guidebook, to go with their afternoon chocolate, while waiting in the school pick up line. – Kashoan

Because in my crazy, try harder life, I need a reminder that I really don’t want this mothering thing to be over. – Lori

Love at its deepest level does not
begin in the heart of man, but it begins in the heart of Papa God. It
is a love that gives without compromise or reservation. It is a love
that is motivated by the choice to do the highest good for another
person. Papa doesn't have this love; rather, "HE IS THIS LOVE." There
is no impure motives in Papa's love. It is holy love. His love for you
is consistent with everything that is good and right for you.

God's love has no limitations.
It will not wear out, fade out, or tire out. It does not play
favorites, or respond only when responded to. God does not love
you today because you have been good, or because you are a nice person.
He loves you because "HE IS LOVE."

I plan to snuggle deep into my duvet, sip on some warm tea, and begin Anne's journey.

Walking in Grace,

Christina

Brooke's Review:

"Anything but a light read, Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts; A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, has left me undone...only to be reformed by the Hand of my Master. Join me as I share a small piece of how the Savior has used it in my life.

Captured immediately by Ann's incredible gift of pen, I learned that life dealt her several seemingly cruel hands. The book begins with the story of the loss of Ann's sister, Aimee, who was literally crushed in front of her family by a trucker who simply didn't see her. As a mother of young children, the sheer angst of Ann's telling made me want to crawl in bed with my little ones and hold them close to me forever. A mother's heart wants to protect...and yet with raw authenticity Ann cracks open the question we all have asked at one time or another, "How can a good God..."

Her answer comes in what I found to be a most unlikely place. Thanksgiving.

I always thought of myself as a thankful person before reading this book. I know I have been blessed...or at least I can look at my life and see good things I call blessings...and they outnumber the bad things I call something else. But Ann made me think beyond my limitations...in fact urging me to put on a whole new set of eyes to see the deep thankfulness in both the good and the bad. A task not humanly possible.

But nothing is impossible with God. She calls it Eucharisteo. And I admit to letting it roll off of my lips in those sacred moments of deep thanksgiving.

And so I began, with great excitement, counting my blessings with Ann. Little gratitudes found along the way. A soft little cheek here, a song lyric there...Before I knew what was happening, I began seeing thanksgiving in things I had overlooked for a lifetime. In a recent blog post, I wrote these words describing this new way of seeing:

"I'm seeing them EVERYWHERE of late...picture must needs! And me with no real camera! I'm eaten inside with the desire to capture the deep thanksgiving...the things the Lord seems to be doing just for me in the sky...with those clouds...and those mountains and when, tell me WHEN, did those mountains I've loved all my life begin looking so glorious in the fall? Someone MUST needs take a picture!"

Indeed...the Lord seems to have given me a new set of eyes. And rather than calling only the good the blessing, I now clearly see the radical, hard thanksgiving in the bad.

Though I say that with a hint of fear.

Because a part of me still lives in fear that if I invite God to bring me wholly into Him, great sacrifice...loss...will be required of me to get there. I know that in this world we will have troubles...and I know that suffering is means God uses to draw us unmistakably to Him. I know He can be trusted. I know He is good. But the fear remains. What if God must take something (someone?) from me to bring me to Him most fully? I cannot ask that of Him.

Angie Smith, at a recent conference said (paraphrased) about the loss of her infant daughter , Audrey Caroline, "for all that her death has brought me...the understanding of God, the opportunities to comfort others and show them God's grace...I would still rather have Audrey." And my heart nods in agreement. This describes the words of my heart.

Beautifully and fully, Ann weaves comfort to my fear when she says, "It is impossible to give thanks and simultaneously feel fear" (p. 203). And now I know the reason for the thanksgiving...the counting of the blessings...graces. So many times God calls us to remember and give thanks, for as we remember His good works, His salvation, His provisions, protection...we give thanks...and are built up, given peace and hope that He can do it again. Knowing this helps me take one step closer to the fullness of Him and realize it as an area where He continues to work.

His work is grace.

And I can not only count my gratitude, I can actually BE grace to those around me. "A life contemplating the blessings of Christ becomes a life acting the love of Christ" (p.184). And "to give the thanks away. That thanks-giving might literally become thanks-living" (p. 192).

I am not the same. Upside down in a right-side-up world and wanting to stay there. Seeking the thanksgivings of each day with a fully devoted heart knowing that I'll have to read it again...and probably again. So many are the thoughts of my heart right now...so many are the ways I feel challenged to look beyond circumstances for the thanksgiving in life. So fully have I decided to live in this dare of the right now...that all I have to say to Ann Voskamp (and to my Savior) is:

Religion says that you should trust in what you do as a good moral
person. The gospel says that you should trust in the perfectly sinless
life of Jesus because He alone is the only good and truly moral person
who will ever live.

Religion ends in either pride (because I think I am better than other
people) or despair (because I continually fall short of God’s commands).
The gospel ends in humble and confident joy because of the power of
Jesus at work for me, in me, through me, and sometimes in spite of me.

Listen closely, I have good news to
tell you. There is hope. Together let’s understand this light which came
down for you.

John 1: 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This Jesus, who brings with him all the light and life you’ll ever
need, he came. He’s the One and the Only, there is no other. He is the
one you’ve been waiting for. And he comes, not bringing with him laws
and rules and do’s and don’t's.

He comes full of grace. That means there’s
forgiveness with him. There are second chances with him. He brings power
and strength with him. He brings unmerited favor with him. If you can
deserve grace, then it wouldn’t be called grace now would it? He didn’t
come with things we have to earn or deserve. He came with grace- gifts
that we can never earn but he wants to give freely anyway. That’s the
good news.

He also comes full of truth. So whatever
lies the enemy has placed in your mind about Jesus or his father, he
came to dispel that. Whatever lies the enemy has tried to fool you into
thinking about yourself or the way God sees you, he came to dispel as
well.

My prayer is that this blog will be full of truth for you. And
you’d be set free from wrong thinking the way we were recently

(I’ll
tell you my story somewhere along the way).

The Good News is Grace. The Good News is Truth. The Good News is Jesus. And Jesus is Here. And everything will never be the same.

Monday, March 31, 2014

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." ~ Psalm 16:11

To live . . . Or not to live?

Love God, Follow Jesus, and Serve Others = LIFE

In the Home Begins Peace or the Disruption Of . . .

"Keep the joy of loving Jesus in your heart and share this joy with all you meet, especially your family." Mother Teresa

Luke 4:18

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"

God Prepares

. . . For those who love Him

Listen to Your Life

“. . . See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and the pain of it no less than in the excitement and the gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy, hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is GRACE.“

Frederick Buechner

Brokenness . . .

About Me

"I am a fearless, laid-down lover, that knows a love that has no
boundaries, I am ready to run into the darkest places of the earth and
bring in the lost, the dying, the poor and the broken. Jesus
came with ceaseless love for both the one and the masses. Now I must do
the same: stop for the one, but believe for the multitudes." HBaker
~ With Deep Abiding Love, Christina

Monthly Book Choice

Book of the Month

Are you longing to hear from God, aching to know who He really is? The beautiful truth is this—we can encounter the living God today and every day in the pages of His Word.

Whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or struggle to keep up with studying Scripture, Open Your Bible will leave you with a greater appreciation for the Word of God, a deeper understanding of its authority, and a stronger desire to know the Bible inside and out.

Join Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams, the women behind She Reads Truth, in this 7-session Bible study. Using powerful storytelling, real-life examples, and scripture itself, Open Your Bible will quench a thirst you might not even know you have—one that can only be satisfied by God's Word.

The Bible is sufficient and true. God's Word is for you and for now.

Learn to study the Bible.

Engage in trustworthy content that directs women to Scripture as their foundation for life.

Encourage spiritual growth in women through individual time in homework and group sessions.

Understand that God's Word is enough because the One who gives it is infinitely enough.

Challenge women to dig deeper into the Bible with a group as they learn together.

Discover that God's Word is approachable, and it should be approached every day.

Authors:Raechel Myers loves God's Word. A reluctant writer but lover of story, she delights in the evidence of God's beauty, goodness, and truth in everyday life—just ask her kids. Co-founder and CEO of She Reads Truth, Raechel has a Bachelor's degree in Housing and Environmental Design, and is not afraid to paint a whole house over a long weekend. She longs to cook artisanal meals, but loves Chinese takeout, wearing too much chambray, and kissing her husband. Raechel is fueled by double tall mochas and her strong passion to direct women to God and His Word. She lives south of Nashville, Tennessee with her three favorite people and an old dog named Scout.

Amanda Bible Williams is crazy about words. True words are her favorite, one of many reasons she adores her role as Chief Content Officer of She Reads Truth. Amanda first met Jesus in an East Tennessee church pew as a little girl, and now she finds Him daily in the pages of God's Word and in a loud, old farmhouse east of Nashville where she lives with her husband and three young children. She has degrees in English and Psychology and nearly a Master's in Religion. Amanda enjoys dancing with her kids, reading herself to sleep, and explaining that her maiden name really is Bible.

Let go . . .

. . . and let God

The Father's Heart Ministries...

I am a born again believer and follower of Jesus...

I am the wife to a wonderful man of God. I am a laid down lover for Jesus, I am radically in love with God.

I am a child of God, an Ambassador of Heaven, a writer, blogger and speaker. A "grace-filled, walkin', talkin' evangelist/laptop missionary," an artist (painting - mixed media/crocheting/sewing).

"Grace Talk Live Radio & Sacred Ordinary" are concepts birthed in a desire that God put in my heart years ago ~ and with a now desire to see women of all ages set free from the bondages of performanced based living and religion.

To see them walking in God's grace and in His truth, not in their own performance, but in the strength of the Holy Spirit working through them.

May this be a site that lives out Matthew 11:28-30
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a REAL REST. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

My hope for you, is that you will find exactly that "unforced rhythms of grace" and God's truth ~ His word.
My intentions are to share my thoughts, as well as devotions, poems, pictures, and anything else that "Papa" gives me on this grace and truth walk.

So grab your love letter, God's precious word, let's gather around the kitchen table (a yummy place to nourish the belly and the soul), we'll grab a fresh cuppa tea, some fresh hot scones and let see what our Heavenly Father is preparing for us to today.

Come...
Let's sit at the feet of our Beloved Jesus...
resting ...in the unforced rhythms of His grace.

Your friend,

Christina

This Ministry site is copyrighted, if you want to print or copy anything please get permission from me first. May you choose daily to walk in grace and truth in all that you do and all that you say.May the Spirit of the Lord rest upon you always.

Worship Songs

With Joy Retreats April 8-10, 2016

Surprised by Motherhood

Coffee for Your Heart

She Sparkles - Cindy Bultema

Day Spring

The Refugee Project

Comminity Kitchen & Welcome Center

Maubane Community Ctr

Global Market Place

It's Friday . . .

Stop the ABUSE!

NO MORE

Chronic Illness - Hope

Auto Immune Disease

I wouldn't give nothing for my journey with Jesus. For it is through my struggles and suffering that I have experienced a deep and abiding intimacy with my "Papa" I so wouldn’t trade it for anything. Not even to be pain free. For it is because of my aches and my pains, spiritually, emotionally and physically, that such a brokeness has come forth. Allowing me see the reality of His grace for what it truly is and making my relationship with Him so, so very real.

I hear this most gentle whisper from One I never guessed would speak to me:

Psalm 81 The Message

I am a Gospel for Asia Blogger

Missionary Blogger

Blogging for Change

The love of Jesus transforming lives in South Asia

Come and Rest...

To Let My Life Speak

in humility, through the joys and sorrows, holding the hand of grace along the way.

Come . . .

Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Moments of Grace

Use our Words Wisely

Speak Life into Others

WabiSabi

". . .an appreciation for the simple, unaffected beauty of things as they are.

Solutude

Solitude . . . just like the eggs lying still in this nest...is precisely a moment in which we want to be in the presence of our Lord with empty hands, naked, vulnerable, useless, without much to show, prove, or defend.

Change is Coming

Search Blog...

Grace Talk Live

Welcome to Grace Talk Live with Christine Bacon - Choosing daily to walk in grace through all life's situations.

Your host, Christine seeks to have authentic & intimate conversations with each of her guest. Building up and strengthen each in His Abounding Truth & Grace. Promoting life and living it abundantly.

At Grace Talk Live you will find a generous amount of information and shows. Here are just a few of what you can look forward to:

Sacred Ordinary - revealing the hidden sacred beauty that awaits to be discovered in life's most ordinary moments (interviews).

Amuseme - interviews with authors, musicians, actors, etc.

Spoken Word Poetry nights (every other week).

Tuesday Testify - Testimonies with people who have experienced God's grace first hand.

Wednesday's WORD - scripture focus study (30 minutes).

Marriage Matters - Christine and her husband host this show together - interviewing couples who have learned the art of love & grace in marriage.

In the near future we will even be talking recipes, cooking, and family time....there is so much more ahead. So please stay tuned each week because you never know where God's Grace will choose to lead us.

We will give you answers to hard questions and help you realize that it is not about the struggle, but about the REST. In Christ, we ARE redeemed, free in Jesus to conquer our weaknesses, rise above failures, and inherit all of God’s promises.

Beloved, Grace is the gospel! It is not about what we can do for God, but what God has already done for us on the cross. Our faith is based on trusting in the finished work of Christ.

Dear listener don't be satisfied with just enough grace to save you and get you to heaven. Friend receive not only THAT grace which saves, but receive GRACE, GRACE and more GRACE so you may live victoriously and glorify Jesus in your daily life.

The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World ~ Richard Stearns

The Poor Will Be Glad: Joining the Revolution to Lift the World Out of Poverty by Peter Greer, Phil Smith, Jeremy Cowart, and Rob Bell

The Practice of the Presence God ~ Brother Lawrence

Tired of Trying ~ Jeff VanVonderen

Walking on Water when the Ground Ain't Enuf ~ Stanice Anderson

What Women Fear ~ Angie Smith

When Wives Walk in Grace ~ Steve McVey

Unglued ~ Lysa Terkeurst

Zealous Love: A Practical Guide to Social Justice ~ Mike and Danae Yankoski

Horse & Cat

Be Kind One to Another

Bloom inCourage

(in)RL

(in)RL - Real Life Conference

She Reads Truth

The Kingdom Effect

Using Your words to further HIS Kingdom

Jesus Hears the Orphan

Jesus Hears the Orphan

Walking with Jesus

Walking with Jesus

Don't Know What to Cook?

...meals delivered to your door and they are fresh!

Clothes Designed for You

. . . right to the door!

Mercy House Kenya

. . . love that stretches beyond your home.

How It All Began...

The Mercy House exists to provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House will aid them in education, nutrition, housing, prenatal care, Bible study, counseling and job skills for sustainable living

The Welch Family"We are just a simple family who said yes when God asked." Terrell and Kristen have been married for 18 years and are raising three children. Kristen writes the parenting blog, We are THAT family.

In March of 2010, she traveled to Kenya, Africa, with Compassion International, the world's largest child sponsorship program, to blog their relief efforts in the slums of Nairobi. She was especially burdened visiting Mathare Valley, one of Africa's largest slums. Just days after returning home, Kristen read a heartbreaking article by CNN about the large number of backstreet abortions by girls forced into prostitution to feed their families.

Maureen Owino

. . . while in Kenya, Kristen met Maureen, one of Compassion's leadership graduates, a former sponsored child. Maureen is single, 27 years old and speaks 5 languages. She traveled to the Unites States in the summer of 2010 on behalf of Compassion International to speak to thousands of students at Student Life Camps. Her moving life story led to the sponsorship of more than a thousand impoverished children.

She has since become a very dear "daughter" of the Welch family. Just weeks after returning from Africa, Kristen emailed Maureen and asked if she knew of any ministries reaching out or offering an alternative to the young girls having backstreet abortions. She didn't know of any.

Maureen partnered with Terrell and Kristen to pray specifically about these precious girls. Four months later, God spoke to Maureen's heart and birthed a vision to help these girls. When Maureen emailed Kristen with this news, both knew that God was beginning a good work. The Welch family lives in America and mobilize people to give with the help of supportive friends, family and blog readers. Maureen is in Kenya with the language, education, leadership skills and the heart to be the hands of feet of Jesus.

In the summer of 2010, The Mercy Maternity House was formed to support the work Maureen does. Maureen is the full-time as the Executive Director of Rehema House (word for mercy in Swahili) in Kenya. While she works in Africa, The Welch family raises money and awareness while supporting Maureen and her staff.

As of May 2013, the maternity home houses 11 girls and 9 babies (two on the way) and a handful of staff members. We give glory to God for all that He has done and we covet your prayers.

If you'd like to hear Maureen's powerful testimony of how she was rescued from poverty, please click here.